"I _have_ counted the cost," he said, fervently, "I _must_ go. If you withhold your permission out of consideration for my life, then, though I have never been insubordinate before, I shall be now. I go to-night." The Colonel seized his hand and wrung it. "Then go," he said, "go, and God bless you, and be merciful to me," he added, brokenly. "Amen," Mr. Crawford reverently murmured, adding in his full, rich voice, "The Lord knoweth them that trust in Him." "You are a good fellow, Crawford," said the Colonel, "you know I have never been a great talker. Perhaps I ought to have said more to you young fellows, but I must say one thing, and it is this: I cannot understand what men can do at times like these without a saving faith in Christ." "I know that I should be lost without Him," replied the subaltern, simply. The two men then began to speak in hurried whispers; it seemed a relief after the tension and indecision of the last few moments to have decided upon some course of action. After conversing together earnestly for a few minutes they retraced their steps to the Colonel’s quarters, and for a long time after that silence reigned so far as they were concerned. The night was comparatively still—every now and then flames leapt up into the sky, telling the story that another house had been wrecked by the Boxers, or the stillness was broken by their shrill cries; like beasts of prey they awoke, in the darkness, to prowl about seeking whom they might devour and destroy. * * * * * Two hours later, when the clocks pointed their hands to midnight, two Chinamen might have been seen stealing from the Colonel’s quarters. The Colonel’s dog must have been a bad house dog, for he seemed rather pleased than otherwise, and wagged his tail appreciatively when the younger of the two men put out his hand to stroke him; the guard, too, allowed them to pass; indeed, until they passed the outmost sentry, no one impeded their progress. "Halt! Who goes there?" "A friend." The voice was the voice of Jacob! He must indeed have been a clever Chinaman to speak English with that intonation: and yet the sentry hesitated; here were two Chinese stealing out of the camp, and to all appearance hailing from the Colonel’s quarters. The sentry’s challenge, clear, and incisive, rang out on the night air; but they knew the password, that was enough for him; he had no business to detain them. The two figures stole silently on until they reached the wall—now if their progress was not arrested here, all might still be well, but, if the British saw them, and an alarm was given, they might be shot as they dropped over the wall. "I had not reckoned on this," said the younger man of the two, "We run more risk here than outside the Legation."